Gamification for Toddlers
Game elements can be used to interact with children and maintain their attention, and to make learning more fun and engaging even from the earliest pre-school age. Zimmerman (2016) believes that the use of games can help children to develop their information processing, intelligence, reasoning, language development, and memory. According to the World Health Organization, early childhood is the most important phase of development throughout a person’s lifespan.
Instilling positive learning habits in children (eHowEducation, 2014):
Gamification doesn’t have to require technology, or a deep understanding of game conventions. Even from birth, game concepts are connected to learning. The core ideas behind simple play techniques like peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek help to teach babies basic problem solving, memory and focus abilities.
Mother and daughter playing with baby boy (6-9 months),
Cognitive development is helped by game-like techniques of sorting or matching items, and creativity is nurtured through interactions that reward imagination or follow a narrative.
References:
Zimmerman, J. (2016). Games for Cognitive Development During Early Childhood. [online] Everyday Life – Global Post. Available at: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/games-cognitive-development-during-early-childhood-6870.html [Accessed 2 Dec. 2015].
Paul 19th January 2016 - 7:48 pm
It’s true, gamification kind of exists already as a natural part of being a kid. It’s basically the only way babies start learning anything, the whole world is a game-like experience for them!
Shannon 22nd January 2016 - 5:59 pm
I find it really interesting because I think we can actually learn a lot about gamification by studying how babies naturally learn things.
Paul 25th January 2016 - 12:43 am
So you mean the article (although it is good!) is almost backwards? Or at least, we could think about it both ways.
On one hand, games and gamification can be used to help children to learn, like in the video. But on the other hand, the way that babies learn about the world by making everything into a game (even learning about right and wrong by playing games with their parents patience :D) can give ideas on how to use gamification in learning. Like, trial and error is a big part of playing games and learning, for example?